Syrian Elephant

Elephants once roamed in Syria, Turkey, and Iraq. This species became extinct about 100 BC due to overhunting for ivory. I discovered this fact at the “Assyria to Iberia” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which contains spectacular carved ivory art.

Once again we are in danger of losing elephant species; one prediction has African elephants reaching extinction in 2020. Asian elephants are even more endangered; there are less than 30,000 left in the wild. Not only hunting for ivory is at fault this time. Habitat loss (as usual) is also a factor. And poachers are also looking for ingredients for traditional Asian medicine.

I saw a photo of a swimming elephant that captivated me, and then looked at many others online. In my collage I made the elephant out of rock, sinking as it tries to swim. I hope human efforts can help these beautiful creatures survive this time.